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indie-snob>+!#
ted leo (solo) @ schuba's (9-17-03)
with owen |
 Line-up: Back in May, I was supposed to see Ted Leo at the Fireside Bowl. Unfortunately, the night before (when he played a 21+ show at the Empty Bottle here), he officially decided that his vocal chords were too damaged to sing further. How INCREDIBLY disappointing this was for me. So, seeing this show was like a ray of sunshine in my otherwise concert filled summer. Hah, no, really, it made me quite happy. Ted Leo / Pharmacist's new release, Hearts of Oak, is certainly one of the year's tops (#8, actually, under Rainer Maria and above Broken Social Scene) with its charming pop elements, Ted Leo's always crisp voice and a certain, undeniable punk charm. Polyvinyl artist Owen started the show. Honestly, Owen was the third Polyvinyl artist I got into. (Of course it went Rainer Maria -> Mates of State -> Owen.) Through Owen's work, I've encountered some of the most amazing guitar playing on the indie scene, especially the Chicago scene. Owen, aka Mike Kinsella, has some of the most wonderful fingerpicking ever heard by man. Even Ted Leo joked later, "I feel really self-conscious playing after Mike, he's just so amazing at what he does." His song content, while emotional, is always bold. In fact, so bold, Kinsella doesn't risk sounding cliched, as he uses likes like "fucking on the futon." I mean, c'mon, how many singer/songwriters in Gap cords and BDg sandals do you hear sing that every night? His voice will come in, soft and sweet, whispering sweet odes, and the build to fragmented screams. Of course, none of this was jeopardized live. He used the same marvelous tricks that worked perfectly in an intimate setting such as Schuba's. Opening with a Depeche Mode song, his set held a few new songs and a few of the truly marvelous songs off No Good For No One Now. Overall, this was a stellar performance by an artist who promises to be the next Conor Oberst. The man has the looks, the acoustic sound and the recording studio in mom's house. Owen Setlist: Vampire (Depeche Mode cover) Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect from Ted Leo's solo set. I listened to his albums repeatedly, trying to figure out how he could do these songs acoutiscally. However, that was my first mistaken assumptions. The DC vegan, armed with only one electric guitar started hard and continued so for the rest of the night. With a total of around 15 songs (12 on the setlist, 3 covers and one song from his last band, Chisel), he played a full range of brand-spanking new (like "The Sword in the Stone"), songs off the first two records and his latest full-length. Every song was a highlight, even moment pure and intimate. Ted joked constantly through the set, giving so much insight to his radiant personality. I just had a lot of fun being there. People were so into everything he did which was quite refreshing after some of the shows I've seen lately. Highlights included "The High Party," "Town Crusher," "Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?" and, instilling the help of the audience, the only non-guitar song on the album¡K done with a guitar, "The Ballad of the Sin-Eater." Definitely a fun show and Ted Leo is just TOO charismatic to miss. And, if you haven¡¦t gotten his latest album, please, do. The band is also heading out again in November to make up the shows they had to cancel. So, if you were one of the many devastated to hear the news, fear no more! Ted Leo / Pharmacists are coming to a club near you soon! If you missed the Chicago show (like I did), they'll be here on November 11 at the Fireside Bowl with Oneida and a couple other good bands. The doors open at 8, so make sure you can stay out late that night. That's in addition to the EP Ted is putting out in October. Grade: A Related Reviews: |